Addison Township will be saying good-bye to two well known trustees this election season ? Sandy Campbell and Patricia Eisenhardt have each decided to not run again for their board seats.
Sandy Campbell has been on the Addison Township Board for 12 years. She said that making her decision not to run was difficult.
‘I finally decided to retire my political career and focus on my business, and maybe actually enjoy some free time,? explained Campbell.
Campbell is known for her philosophy of ‘Keep it Rural,? a phrase she used in each of her campaigns.
‘My whole mission was to try and not to let the township develop beyond what we have planned,? said Campbell. ‘I’ve always wanted to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community through this concept. We need some development, but that development must be controlled and following the path we’ve created.?
Aside from diverting more energy to her business, Campbell said she will also be pursuing some new and old passions in her free time – especially boating.
However, the longtime trustee added she will miss those she has worked with over the years while helping to guide Addison Township.
‘I loved forming a strategy for what Addison Twp. should be,? she stated. ‘Helping to steer everyone in the same direction, which was keeping everything rural and natural, was something I enjoyed.
‘What bothered me though is that people in Addison Twp. could not get along and remain respectful, polite and professional with each other at all times. The international world is already so nasty, we need to be able to speak to each other respectfully here in our own community.?
Campbell is supporting both Claudia VonDrak and Christine Sypitkowski in the August 3 Republican primary.
‘They are both into the rural and land conservancy aspects of government, which I feel is very important for the township,? said Campbell. ‘They each have their own strengths, but both have the same viewpoint I do – ‘Keeping it Rural.??
Patricia Eisenhardt has been a trustee now for 16 years. Her decision to not run again was a long time coming.
‘Four years ago I thought about not running,? she explained, ‘but Bob Koski came to me and asked me to run again. He wanted to try and keep some history and experience on the board because a lot of new people were coming along.
‘I always felt I would be done after that. Everyone seemed shocked when I didn’t file. My husband even was shocked.?
Eisenhardt is known for being honest, if not also a little outspoken. She wholeheartedly agrees that her viewpoint and opinions have always been open and available for anyone willing to listen.
When asked why she decided not to run, Eisenhardt said the time had come.
‘I enjoyed it, I truly did and felt I always gave my all,? she stated. ‘I think there are people out there who can do as good or better than I did with new ideas. I think it needs to be spread around a little. I’ve put my time in and it’s someone else’s turn now.?
Eisenhardt said she is supporting three individuals running for trustee positions in the Republican primary: John Sutphin, Harold Klein and Phillip Stackpoole.
‘The one thing I have to say to anyone knew is that you have to be there,? said Eisenhardt, ‘you’ve got to be active, you’ve got to do the volunteer work as well as the required.
‘I think there will be changes in the future, and what they are is neither here nor there. In the end, change is good.?